Dartmouth Castle

For 600 years Dartmouth Castle has stood in a superb waterfront setting as the guardian of the Dart estuary. One of the most advanced fortresses of its day, the castle was brilliantly positioned to protect the homes and warehouses of Dartmouth's wealthy medieval merchants.

Visit the castle and take a journey through time. Explore the 14th century ruins of the 'Fortalice'. These Fortifications were built by Hawley, one of Dartmouth's most colourful merchants who is thought to have been the inspiration for The Shipman in Chaucer's 'The Canterbury Tales'. There are other tales of the castle to discover on your journey from the Tudor period and the Civil War to World War II. You can experience the sights and sounds of the great guns being fired in the fully re-created Victorian gun battery.

From the castle battlements you can enjoy splendid views of the Dart estuary, where ships departed Dartmouth from the time of the Crusades to D-Day and beyond.

Dartmouth Castle is an ideal place to watch the river and picnic in surroundings of exceptional beauty. Why not travel to the castle by water? Take the castle ferry from Dartmouth along the beautiful wooded banks of the River Dart to the landing stage close to the castle.

General Information:

• Parking (pay and display, not English Heritage)
• Picnic spot
• Guide dogs only
• Shop
• Very limited disabled access
• Toilets and refreshments (not English Heritage)